BEREA, Ohio — Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow practiced for the first time since being hospitalized with an undisclosed illness and could play tomorrow against the Washington Redskins.

"It's good to be back," Winslow said yesterday.

Winslow was in good spirits as he got dressed along with his teammates, who upset the New York Giants on Monday night without him.

During a brief interview at his locker, the Pro Bowler declined to give any details about what forced him to be kept at the Cleveland Clinic for three days last week.

"I'm not going to tell you exactly," Winslow said. "It was really the Cleveland Browns' decision to keep it undisclosed and I agree with that. Just because I catch a football doesn't mean I should tell what's wrong with me or what happened. I'm back and I'm happy to be back. I think I'm good to go."

Last week, Browns coach Romeo Crennel cited privacy laws and Winslow's preference not to disclose any medical information.

Winslow's NFL career has been hindered by injuries, but the former first-round pick had played in 36 straight games before sitting out Monday night.

He has undergone at least four surgeries on his right knee, which was seriously injured when he crashed his motorcycle in 2005.

GIANTS

LB PIERCE MISSES THIRD STRAIGHT PRACTICE

New York Giants middle linebacker Antonio Pierce missed practice yesterday for the third consecutive day with a quad injury and was listed as questionable for tomorrow's game against San Francisco.

Pierce has not said how or when he suffered the injury, but indicated it probably happened in the Giants' 44-6 win over Seattle on Oct. 5. He aggravated the injury Monday night against Cleveland, but returned to the game.

If Pierce does not play tomorrow, Chase Blackburn will start. Fellow linebacker Gerris Wilkinson will miss the 49ers game with a knee injury he suffered against Cleveland.

ELSEWHERE

Redskins: Cornerback Shawn Springs, who aggravated a calf injury Thursday, was unable to practice yesterday and was listed as doubtful for tomorrow's game against the Cleveland Browns. Clinton Portis, the NFL's leading rusher, returned after missing Thursday's practice with a mild hip flexor. He is questionable. Defensive end Jason Taylor, who also aggravated a calf injury this week, missed practice for the second day in a row and is questionable. Coach Jim Zorn said the calf is "a little swollen" but that he expects Taylor to play.

Steelers: Pro Bowl running back Willie Parker didn't practice for a third consecutive day yesterday and won't play in the Pittsburgh's division game in Cincinnati tomorrow. Parker has missed the last two games with a sprained left knee. He will be replaced by third-down back Mewelde Moore. Also, 6-foot-4, 220-pound Limas Sweed, a rookie out of Texas, is expected to play in his first NFL regular-season game with backup receiver Dallas Baker injured.

Titans: Starting wide receivers Justin McCareins (hamstring) and Justin Gage (right knee) missed practice again yesterday and will be questionable for tomorrow's game at Kansas City. McCareins said he will be a game-time decision. Brandon Jones started in place of Gage at Baltimore and if both receivers are out, it could open up more playing time for Chris Davis or rookie Lavelle Hawkins, who has been active in just two games and has not caught a pass thus far.

Patriots: Tom Brady has undergone a second procedure in 10 days on his injured left knee, according to a published report. The Boston Globe reported yesterday that the New England Patriots quarterback had the procedure Wednesday for an infection in his left knee that was operated on Oct. 6. Brady suffered the season-ending injury in the opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Packers: Cornerback Al Harris was declared out against the high-powered Indianapolis Colts tomorrow. Harris is recovering from a lacerated spleen he suffered Sept. 21. Tramon Williams has an interception in each of the last three games as Harris' replacement.

Bears: Wide receiver Brandon Lloyd and defensive back Danieal Manning will miss tomorrow's game against the Minnesota Vikings because of injuries. Lloyd has been hobbled by a knee injury while Manning has a pulled hamstring.

Dolphins: Fullback Casey Cramer, who missed his third straight practice yesterday, is expected to miss tomorrow's game against Baltimore because of an ankle injury and be replaced by newcomer Lousaka Polite.